Q: "We have a restaurant with electric grills. We need an effective cleaner whose fumes won't make our employees ill. I read about the soy based all natural cleaners. Just wanted to know how effective this one is. Thanks. Carl."

Answer: Natural Soy Products makes this BBQ grill cleaner in the Midwest. Formerly Soy Clean, this "green" cleaning product softens and loosens the soiled surfaces for removal of char, grease and burnt residue. Simply spray on and wipe away the grease and grime! The Barbeque Grill Cleaner's Bio-based content is 91% as tested by Iowa State University using conventional radiocarbon analytical methods. BBQ Grill Cleaner was tested by the Wall Street Journal and determined to be the most effective product, even compared to traditional, toxic products. “In a recent test, we found the most natural product [Natural Soy Products BBQ Grill Cleaner] worked the best. This soy-based product cleaned just as well or better than the less-natural ones, and didn’t have the noxious odor.” Wall Street Journal, June 21, 2007

All Natural Soy Products cleaners, lubricants and degreasers are soy-based. The natural characteristics of soy make an excellent solvent with a kauri-butanol (KB) value of 58. Soy is also compatible with other organic solvents and can be used to formulate many types of productsoy..

Natural Soy Products BBQ Grill Cleaner is a 100% natural, soy-based, non-toxic product that rinses away with water. Most other grill cleaners on the market are harsh and even dangerous to users and the environment. This BBQ Grill cleaner contains no hazardous ingredients. This cleaner also comes in larger containers. Try the One Gallon size if you have large areas to clean. It is also available in 5 gallon buckets and in 55 gallon drums.

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Question: "I am looking for a paint stripper or paint remover for removing latex, oil-based and lead-based paint including silver and black spray paint. I prefer a paint stripper that does not contain methylene chloride. Also I want a versatile product that can be used on wood, metal, concrete, glass, aluminum siding, tile, spray equipment, clothing, carpeting, concrete, brick, brushes and furniture. Does SoyClean (Natural Soy Products )paint remover meet my needs? I'd like to purchase it in at least one gallon containers. Thanks. Tom."

Answer: Natural Soy Products Paint Remover and Stripper is a natural, soy-based, non-toxic product that rinses away with water. Natural Soy Products Paint Stripper is made from 100% all natural ingredients, so it contains no hazardous ingredients. Because Natural Soy Products stripper is non-toxic, paint removal may take a bit longer. The advantages though are that you will have no exposure to cancer causing substances like methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane. That is a volatile, colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Methylene chloride is used in various industrial processes, in many different industries including paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint remover manufacturing, and metal cleaning and degreasing. The most common means of exposure to methylene chloride is inhalation and skin exposure. OSHA considers methylene chloride to be a potential occupational carcinogen.. According to the US Dept of Labor, methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Methylene chloride is used in various industrial processes, in many different industries including paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint remover manufacturing, and metal cleaning and degreasing. The most common means of exposure to methylene chloride is inhalation and skin exposure. OSHA considers methylene chloride to be a potential occupational carcinogen.

Paint Stripper Instructions:

Shake product for at least one minute. Apply liberally to surface. Avoid using on plastic or vinyl. Allow product time to work. The longer you let it set, the less work you have to do to remove the paint. If there are several layers of paint, or if the paint has been there for a very long time, we recommend letting the product soak over night. This Paint Stripper will penetrate multiple layers of paint for several hours, without needing to be reapplied. That's the beauty of the soybean oil! It won't evaporate like toxic strippers. Test a small area to see if the paint is softened and ready to be removed. Rinse surface clean with water. Neutralize surface with mild dish soap, like Dawn for example.

How does the Soy Clean Paint Stripper Work?

The soybean oil gives the Paint Stripper an Extra long wet time. So while, it isn’t designed to work immediately, it is VERY effective when it is allowed time to work. The longer you let it set, the less scrubbing you will have to do. With only one application, you will be able to remove multiple layers of paint. SoyClean Graffiti Remover and Adhesive and Mastic Remover works the same way – even when removing tough carpet glue or tile mastic!

Question: "We need this product quickly as we are going to change a packaging line tomorrow. Can it be sent Next Day Air? What sizes does it come in? We are a leading packaging company of such products as plastic wrap, foil and plastic bags. One of our other locations was extremely pleased with the results. Thanks. Maria."

Answer: We can have the SoyClean shipped to you yet today.

This effective, safe cleaning product removes residue from labels, stickers, decals, grease, crayons, shoe polish, floor mastic and asbestos-based mastic. SoyClean's Adhesive and Mastic Remover is a natural soy based, non toxic product that effectively removes adhesives and mastics from almost any surface. The Adhesive and Mastic Remover's Bio-based content is 61% as tested by Iowa State University using conventional radiocarbon analytical methods.

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Q: "Should I buy a non-alcohol based sanitizer or one with alcohol for use in my restaurant? Which works better?' Thanks. Janet

Answer: I recommend that you first consider what your needs really are.

The non-alcohol based hand sanitizers contain benzalkonium chloride, a synthetic germicide. HandClens® Alcohol-Free Instant Hand Sanitizer is usually sold only to facilities like psychiatric wards, prisons, alcohol treatment centers, schools, etc. . The concerns about alcohol based sanitizers are that persons may use them to become intoxicated or that the alcohol could be a fire hazard. (National Fire Protection association (NFPA) concern). These are as effective as the alcohol based but more expensive. The HandClens brand in both foam and gel surpass the minimum FDA standards for an antiseptic hand sanitizer. Dispensed as foam, Handclens lasts longer than other products of similar sizes and is safe to use in any environment. It doesn't dry hands and it has a pleasant fragrance.Contains Benzalkonium Chloride as the active ingredient and moisturizers to help protect the skin.

So, unless you have compelling reasons to avoid alcohol based products, I recommend you get a dispenser for your restaurant and purchase bags of one of the alcohol based sanitizers with a minimum of 62% alcohol.

Q: "Our PTA is interested in buying hand sanitizer dispensers and hand sanitizer for children and adults to use as they enter the school cafeteria. Our hope is to reduce colds and flu among the school population. The sanitizers we are looking at are alcohol based. What are the advantages of foam versus gel? Are there other options?

Answer: The two sanitizers you asked about are high in alcohol. A New York Times article from 2006 focuses on hand sanitizers. The recommendation there was to get all sides of your hands wet with gel or foam, then rub them together until they dry. CDC guidelines for healthcare workers are that, if your hands dry within 10 to 15 seconds, you did not use enough. Studies cited in the NY Times recommend purchasing alcohol based hand sanitizers with 60% to 95% alcohol or running the risk of growing bacteria rather than killing bacteria and viruses.

Soap and water are still the best choice although many restrooms are set up so that you must grab the door handle to leave rather than pushing it open thus contaminating hands. We were impressed on a recent cruise by the wide availability of hand sanitizer dispensers at all restaurants, entrances to the ship, restrooms, etc. Also one pushed out on restroom doors or there was a doorway entrance that meant no door was needed.

Personally, I prefer the foam dispensers although the liquid is as effective and was used on the ship. Children are attracted to foam products and there is less likelihood of dripping. The most economical way to buy the sanitizer is in the 1000 ml bags or about 33.8140225589 ounces.

The products we sell by Medline all have moisturizers or similar additives to keep hands from drying out.

Thank you for your question. We hope you are successful in your efforts especially with the H1N1 flu expected this fall. Most schools are asking children to bring sanitizer to school. The problem is that rarely is it available in school cafeterias in such a way that every child uses it before they eat.